Almanac

Atherton council may be near deal
on Little League park facilities

Menlo-Atherton Little League and the town of Atherton may be close to an agreement that will allow the sports league to build new facilities and improve the playing field in Holbrook-Palmer Park.

The City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 15, will review and possibly approve a set of requirements, conditions and constraints for the project, which was overwhelming approved by voters in 2012. The approval of Measure M cleared the way for M-A Little League to build permanent covered seating for 200 spectators (a structure that will include covered dugouts), build restrooms facilities, and resurface the existing field that has hosted ballgames for a number of years.

The project also will include installation of an electronic scoreboard, foul poles and fencing. M-A Little League will pay for the project, and contribute additional funds for park beautification and to improve the park's tennis courts. Although the ballot measure garnered the support of 75 percent of voters, hammering out the the project's scope and details has involved rigorous back-and-forth among planning commissioners, council members, staff and Little League officials.

At the council's Sept. 4 meeting, the council asked the sports organization to reconsider the proposed size of the seating structure, and to consider the possibility of making the scoreboard and foul poles removable rather than permanent, among other suggested tweaks to the project. Town staff has since been meeting with Little League officials to work out a final plan.

At the Jan. 15 meeting, the council will review a staff report that indicates the Little League doesn't support reducing the seating structure's size, and that it was unable to find a removable scoreboard that met its requirements. But the league agreed to modify its original plan for foul poles.

Also on the agenda, the council will discuss a recommendation to increase Recology green waste rates, and possibly approve a contract for event services in Holbrook-Palmer Park.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at 94 Ashfield Road, in the Town Center.

Go to tinyurl.com/AthertonCouncil15 to view the agenda and staff reports.

Posting an item on Town Square is simple and requires no registration. Just complete this form and hit "submit" and your topic will appear online.
Please be respectful and truthful in your postings so Town Square will continue to be a thoughtful gathering place for sharing community information
and opinion. All postings are subject to our TERMS OF USE, and may be deleted if deemed inappropriate by our staff.

We prefer that you use your real name, but you may use any "member" name you wish.